Adair, Cherry 1951–

PERSONAL:

Born March 30, 1951; married; husband's name David; children: two daughters. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, gardening, collecting teapots and books.

ADDRESSES:

Home—WA. Office—P.O. Box 353, Langley, WA 98260. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Romance novelist. Previously owned an interior design company in San Francisco, CA.

MEMBER:

Romance Writers of America, Novelists Inc.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Best contemporary romance award, Romantic Times, 2001; best mainstream romance award, Golden Quill; best single title award, All about Romance, Francis Award for best romantic suspense, Romance Journal, and top-ten books of the year citation, Romance Writers of America, all for Hide and Seek.

WRITINGS:

ROMANCE NOVELS

The Mercenary, Harlequin (New York, NY), 1994.

Kiss and Tell, Ivy Books (New York, NY), 2000.

Seducing Mr. Right, Harlequin (New York, NY), 2001.

Hide and Seek, Ballantine Books (New York, NY), 2001.

In Too Deep, Ballantine Books (New York, NY), 2002.

Take Me, Harlequin (New York, NY), 2002.

Out of Sight, Ballantine Books (New York, NY), 2003.

(With Anne Stuart) Date with a Devil, Harlequin (New York, NY), 2004.

On Thin Ice, Center Point (Thorndike, ME), 2005.

(With Jill Shalvis and Julie Elizabeth Leto) Dare Me, Signet (New York, NY), 2005.

(With Leanne Banks, Pamela Britton, and Kelsey Roberts) Red Hot Santa, Ballantine Books (New York, NY), 2005.

Hot Ice: A Novel, Ballantine Books (New York, NY), 2005.

Edge of Danger, Ballantine Books (New York, NY), 2006.

Edge of Fear, Ballantine Books (New York, NY), 2006.

Edge of Darkness, Ballantine Books (New York, NY), 2006.

White Heat: A Novel, Ballantine Books (New York, NY), 2007.

SIDELIGHTS:

Cherry Adair is the author of several steamy, action-packed romance novels. Many of these books are set within an elite anti-terrorism unit, Terrorist Force Logistical Assault Command, or T-FLAC, and most revolve around the four Wright brothers, who are current or former members of special-operations troops.

Six years passed between the publication of Adair's first novel, The Mercenary, and her second, Kiss and Tell. "Life happened," Adair told a Sensual Romance interviewer, explaining this gap. "Then life settled down to a dull roar and I was able to enthusiastically dive right back into my writing…. Now with a consistent writing schedule I'm able to produce books more regularly and get them out into the hands of eager readers." Indeed, since 2000, Adair has published at least one book every year.

In Kiss and Tell, Marnie Wright and her dog, Duchess, accidentally stumble across the remote cabin of former T-FLAC member Jake Dolan. Jake is hiding out in the middle of the Sierra Mountains for a reason, and he is not very happy at being found. However, Marnie and Dutchess are the least of his problems; a group of assassins is soon trying to kill him. "Romance, adventure and humor make this book a true keeper," Jill M. Smith declared in a review for Romantic Times. A Mystery Reader critic particularly praised the character of Marnie, calling her "the primary reason that Kiss and Tell is one step above hundreds of other romances with a similar plot. She's smart, brave, and surprisingly level-headed, not to mention quick-witted."

Hide and Seek follows Wright brother Kyle as he travels to South America to try to foil a drug lord's plot to traffic in deadly biological weapons. Kyle is hindered by the presence of Delanie Eastman, a former lover who has bluffed her way into the drug lord's confidence in order to track down her missing sister, Lauren. AllReaders.com reviewer Harriet Klausner praised the book as "another strong romantic suspense novel," the storyline of which "is fast-paced and loaded with nonstop action." It is "spicy, robust, and sexy," Michelle Monkou wrote on the Crescent Blues.

In Too Deep focuses on Michael Wright. Wright saves Tally Cruise, daughter of Trevor Church, when the luxury yacht she is travelling on explodes. Michael has spent the past year trying to destroy Church, who double-crossed Michael (a former Navy SEAL) and his partner Hugo, leaving Hugo dead. Michael is surprised when he discovers that Tally has no clue what her father does. At first he sees Tally as nothing but a way to get closer to her father, but then he begins to have deeper feelings for her. Together, the two must work out their relationship while trying to stay alive, since whoever wants Tally dead will not give up. As Heidi L. Haglin noted for the All about Romance, In Too Deep is "well-written in terms of pacing, with explosions, dead bodies, and tension everywhere"; it will "keep the pulses pounding [and] the juices flowing." Smith also praised the book, declaring it to be "a highly satisfying ride."

In Out of Sight, a beautiful and talented female sharpshooter named A.J. Cooper joins Kane Wright's T-FLAC team. However, A.J. was shot in a training accident, and her psyche has not healed from the injury as quickly as her body did. On her first assignment in the field she freezes at a crucial moment, allowing terrorist Fazur Raazaq to escape and resulting in another team member being shot. Kane wants nothing more than to get her off his team, but he is forced to continue working with her as they try to prevent Raazaq from carrying out a chemical weapons attack. "The situations A.J. and Kane encounter on their mission are terrifying and charged with an intensity often found only in action movies," commented BookLoons.com reviewer Liz Cooper, making Out of Sight "a captivating and gritty novel." Similarly, a Publishers Weekly reviewer commented: "This larger-than-life adventure is sure to satisfy those who appreciate high stakes and heavy drama."

T-FLAC agent Derek Wright decides to compete in Alaska's Iditarod dog sled race in On Thin Ice. During the course of the 1,110 mile race, he attempts to seduce widowed veterinarian and fellow competitor Lily Munroe—but he must also work to keep her safe, as the series of "accidents" that befall her during the race seem to be more than simple mishaps. "For readers who crave sexy, suspenseful love stories," John Charles wrote in Booklist, the book's "bracing mix of passion and danger will be irresistible." Klausner also praised the book as "enjoyable romantic suspense."

Hot Ice: A Novel continues Adair's open-ended T-FLAC series as Taylor Kincaid, a sexy jewel thief who uses her skills to retrieve stolen diamonds for her employers—an insurance firm—finds herself at the beck and call of Huntington St. John, a skilled T-FLAC operative who finds himself in need of someone with just her special criminal talents. St. John and his team are racing to stop a terrorist with a missile aimed at Las Vegas, but in order to do so, they need to access the weapon in its hiding place deep within a mine shaft in South Africa before it can be launched. But if St. John wants Taylor's help, he first has to get her out of jail. So starts a dangerous adventure, as well as a steamy romance. Jill M. Smith, in a review for Romantic Times Online, opined that the story "makes for exhilarating reading," and concluded that "Adair is on a very big roll." Booklist reviewer John Charles dubbed Adair's effort a "fast-paced and intricately plotted tale of danger, deception, and desire."

Adair writes a paranormal trilogy within the confines of her T-FLAC universe with her "Edge" series, featuring the Edge brothers—one each—in Edge of Danger, Edge of Fear, and Edge of Darkness. In Edge of Fear, Caleb Edge sets out to follow Heather Shaw as part of his current operation for T-FLAC, in hopes of getting information regarding her father's terrorist associations. However, Heather and Caleb become involved over the course of his assignment, having a brief but passionate fling. When Caleb later discovers that Heather is expecting his child, he offers to marry her. The couple seem destined for each other until Heather finally uncovers the truth behind Caleb's job, and the reason why he has become involved with her. A series of arguments, followed by Heather's kidnapping, ratchet up the tension and leave readers wondering until nearly the final page if the couple will ever find happiness together. A reviewer for Publishers Weekly commented: "Adair expertly combines a tight plot and graphic romance with magical flourishes and exotic locales."

White Heat: A Novel begins when Emily Greene meets sexy Max Aries at a party in Florence and proceeds to have a steamy five-day affair with him before Max simply vanishes. When he returns, he is on the job for T-FLAC, investigating the death of his father, Daniel, an artist and art restorer who has been mentoring Emily. Emily has actually been doing much of Daniel's work for the past few years, and as a result finds herself linked to a series of murders and an international terrorist plot, with only Max standing between her and danger. John Charles, again reviewing for Booklist, wrote that the novel's "scorching passion, gritty danger, and testosterone-fueled action blend flawlessly." A reviewer for Publishers Weekly found Adair's latest effort to be "a steamy fusion of romance and heart-stopping suspense."

One of Adair's more popular non-T-FLAC-series romances is Seducing Mr. Right. Catherine Harris has always loved her stepbrother, Luke Van Buren, but he has never reciprocated her interest. Now, as a young adult, Cat decides to do something about it—even though she is a "good girl" and Luke is a playboy. She capitalizes on a promise that Luke made to his dying father to take care of her: she moves into his San Francisco home and asks him to help her find a husband by teaching her how to be seductive. This is "an adorable premise," remarked Romantic Times.com reviewer Shannon Short, and in Adair's hands it becomes "a highly charged, delightful tale." Romance Reader's Connection reviewer Fatin Shukri also praised the book, declaring that "Adair's captivating storytelling is a must for all!"

"I'll always write romance," Adair told a Sensual Romance interviewer, "because there aren't enough happy endings in the world. We need something that gives us the opportunity to sit back and relax for those few hours before we dive back Into the grit of real life.… I want to continue writing stories that can transport my readers somewhere magical, somewhere fun, somewhere where they don't have to do anything more strenuous than put their feet up, sip a cup of tea and hang on for the ride."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, September 15, 2001, review of Kiss and Tell, p. 210; September 15, 2002, John Charles and Shelley Mosley, review of Hide and Seek, p. 219; August, 2004, John Charles, review of On Thin Ice, p. 1908; July, 2005, John Charles, review of Hot Ice: A Novel, p. 1907; July 1, 2007, John Charles, review of White Heat: A Novel, p. 39.

Publishers Weekly, September 24, 2001, review of Hide and Seek, p. 75; August 12, 2002, review of In Too Deep, p. 283; July 28, 2003, review of Out of Sight, p. 84; June 19, 2006, review of Edge of Fear, p. 45; May 28, 2007, review of White Heat, p. 38.

ONLINE

All about Romance Web site,http://www.likesbooks.com/ (November 1, 2004), Heidi L. Haglin, review of In Too Deep.

AllReaders.com,http://www.allreaders.com/ (November 1, 2004), Harriet Klausner, reviews of Hide and Seek, In Too Deep, Out of Sight, and On Thin Ice; Liz Cooper, review of Out of Sight.

Authors on the Web,http://www.authorsontheweb.com/ (November 1, 2004), "Cherry Adair."

Bensenville Community Public Library Reader's Corner Web site, http://readers.bensenville.lib.il.us/ (November 1, 2004), "Cherry Adair."

BookLoons.com,http://www.bookloons.com/ (November 1, 2004), Liz Cooper, review of Out of Sight.

Cherry Adair Web site,http://www.cherryadair.com (November 1, 2004).

Crescent Blues,http://www.crescentblues.com/ (November 1, 2004), Michelle Monkou, review of Hide and Seek.

Ivy Authors Web site,http://www.ivyauthors.com/ (November 1, 2004), "Cherry Adair."

MysteryReader.com,http://www.themysteryreader.com/ (November 1, 2004), review of Kiss and Tell.

Romance Reader's Connection,http://www.theromancereadersconnection.com/ (November 1, 2004), Fatin Shukri, interview with Adair and review of Seducing Mr. Right.

RomanticTimes.com,http://www.romantictimes.com/ (November 1, 2004), Jill M. Smith, reviews of Kiss and Tell, Hide and Seek, In Too Deep, Out of Sight, and Hot Ice; Shannon Short, review of Seducing Mr. Right; Cindy Whitesel, review of Take Me.

Sensual Romance,http://sensualromance.writerspace.com/ (November 1, 2004), interview with Adair.

WordWeaving.com,http://www.wordweaving.com/ (November 1, 2004), "Cherry Adair"; Cynthia Penn, review of Seducing Mr. Right.